Educating on the Conservation
of Wild British Owls
of Wild British Owls
© 2010 Wild Owl Web site design & photography © Ian McGuire
South Gloucestershire was created when the old county of Avon was divided. It covers the northern region of the city of Bristol and from the city suburbs the housing feathers out into countryside that stretches up to Cirencester, across to Stroud and over to Bath. As someone who has lived here all my life, it is a great, safe place to live.
However, if you are an owl that is born on South Gloucestershire, things may turn out to be quite different. Despite my efforts, and those around me in the Hawk and Owl Trust, there is still a lot of ignorance to the needs of owls and other birds of prey, and only a small amount of land is owl friendly. Many farms have folded over the years and new ownership has diversified the use of the land, so if fields are not used for grazing, they are often cut for hay either to supply the local growing horse fraternity, planted with crops or otherwise. Only a small percentage of the land is left as set-aside.
However, if you are an owl that is born on South Gloucestershire, things may turn out to be quite different. Despite my efforts, and those around me in the Hawk and Owl Trust, there is still a lot of ignorance to the needs of owls and other birds of prey, and only a small amount of land is owl friendly. Many farms have folded over the years and new ownership has diversified the use of the land, so if fields are not used for grazing, they are often cut for hay either to supply the local growing horse fraternity, planted with crops or otherwise. Only a small percentage of the land is left as set-aside.
Despite this situation, South Gloucestershire still has populations of owls, including some rarer species that choose to spend their winters with us.
Short-eared Owls are an upland ground nesting species that breed, generally speaking, in the north of the UK. However, every winter some of these birds, together with winter migrants from Eastern Europe visit the milder lowland areas of the South, and are often seen in this region.
The owls normally arrive around October and stay all winter, leaving approximately by the end of March to travel back to their breeding grounds. Individual birds can turn up literally anywhere in our region, but most tend to be found in small numbers along the River Severn corridor, taking advantage of rich food supplies along the grassy flood plains.
The owls normally arrive around October and stay all winter, leaving approximately by the end of March to travel back to their breeding grounds. Individual birds can turn up literally anywhere in our region, but most tend to be found in small numbers along the River Severn corridor, taking advantage of rich food supplies along the grassy flood plains.
The hot spot wintering for short-eared owls in South Gloucestershire. is the area between the two Severn Bridges and along towards Avonmouth. This area is a superb site to watch short-eared owls from the road with very little chance of disturbing them. They are also spotted each winter on the higher ground at Marshfield and Tormarton and the surrounding area. See the Birds of South Gloucestershire web site for details.
Being a diurnal species, they are seen in broad daylight, with the afternoon usually being the most active time, towards dusk. The number of owls along this site can vary from year to year, being influenced by weather conditions in their home areas and vole populations at Severnside, but at least a couple of birds are seen on almost a daily basis most years. Shorties are therefore a very reliable species to ‘twitch’.
To get the latest sightings visit the Severnside Birds web site, which is an excellent resource for bird information along this stretch of habitat. Other winter bird of prey specialities include merlin and hen harrier as well as appearances at most times of year by the local peregrine falcons, kestrels and barn owls.
Being a diurnal species, they are seen in broad daylight, with the afternoon usually being the most active time, towards dusk. The number of owls along this site can vary from year to year, being influenced by weather conditions in their home areas and vole populations at Severnside, but at least a couple of birds are seen on almost a daily basis most years. Shorties are therefore a very reliable species to ‘twitch’.
To get the latest sightings visit the Severnside Birds web site, which is an excellent resource for bird information along this stretch of habitat. Other winter bird of prey specialities include merlin and hen harrier as well as appearances at most times of year by the local peregrine falcons, kestrels and barn owls.
Long- eared Owls have a reputation as being difficult to see and mostly quiet outside the breeding season. They are therefore very under-recorded in South Gloucestershire, despite the efforts of local birding sleuths and Hawk and Owl Trust volunteers, that attempt to locate both breeding birds and also winter roosts.
The most famous local winter roost was at Oldbury Power Station in the winter of 96/97, when up to seven birds were seen in hedgerow along a bridleway. Since then odd wintering birds have been recorded along the Severn. This area is highly recorded by dedicated bird watchers, and so it is not unlikely that there are other wintering birds each year in areas less frequented by birders.
Indeed, I was once told of ‘lots of small owls’ flying out of the hedges along an old railway line near Iron Acton on New Year’s Day back in 2003. A survey the next winter produced nothing, but it is likely that these may have been long-eared owls.
To date, I have been unable to locate any breeding birds in South Gloucestershire, with the nearest, best know site being at Stock Hill Plantation on the Mendips, where there is a large tract of the long-eared preferred breeding habitat, conifer forest.
The most famous local winter roost was at Oldbury Power Station in the winter of 96/97, when up to seven birds were seen in hedgerow along a bridleway. Since then odd wintering birds have been recorded along the Severn. This area is highly recorded by dedicated bird watchers, and so it is not unlikely that there are other wintering birds each year in areas less frequented by birders.
Indeed, I was once told of ‘lots of small owls’ flying out of the hedges along an old railway line near Iron Acton on New Year’s Day back in 2003. A survey the next winter produced nothing, but it is likely that these may have been long-eared owls.
To date, I have been unable to locate any breeding birds in South Gloucestershire, with the nearest, best know site being at Stock Hill Plantation on the Mendips, where there is a large tract of the long-eared preferred breeding habitat, conifer forest.
Another site where wintering long-eared owls have been recorded in the past is at Warmley Forest Park. This site is now a Local Nature Reserve, and although small, is being managed for all wildlife, with good vole-rich grassland as well as lots of areas of scrub. With Overscourt Woods just down the road, it could turn up LEO’s any year. They have also been recorded at Inglestone Common.
Long-eared owls are much smaller than people realise, weighing less than 300gms and smaller than a barn owl, and with superb camouflage, it is no wonder they are so hard to find - and I have sore feet from walking along miles of hedgerow to prove it! If you have an useful information on records or sightings, please let me know.
Long-eared owls are much smaller than people realise, weighing less than 300gms and smaller than a barn owl, and with superb camouflage, it is no wonder they are so hard to find - and I have sore feet from walking along miles of hedgerow to prove it! If you have an useful information on records or sightings, please let me know.
The Barn Owl is on the South Gloucestershire Council Biodiversity Action Plan but the population in South Gloucestershire is quite under-recorded. With lots of land in private ownership, many people are very protective towards any barn owls that begin to breed on their land and are sometimes unwilling to work with conservationists. This is a shame, because I would personally like to get more barn owlets ringed each year, and this can only be done by finding birds, and in some cases, encouraging them to use easily accessible nest boxes. This will be something I will be working towards in the future. The Hawk and Owl Trust local group has put up at least of these 60 nesting boxes in the region for this species, but success has been variable.
Once again, the management of land can be very intensive in this area, and so a vole-rich field one month can be a harvested ‘vole desert’ the next. Long grass is often seen as ‘neglect’, and together with dog walkers complaining that their feet get wet in damp grass, there is an awful habit of ‘tidying’ the fields in this part of Bristol. This can have a big influence of the chances of barn owl populations increasing now and in the future.
Once again, the management of land can be very intensive in this area, and so a vole-rich field one month can be a harvested ‘vole desert’ the next. Long grass is often seen as ‘neglect’, and together with dog walkers complaining that their feet get wet in damp grass, there is an awful habit of ‘tidying’ the fields in this part of Bristol. This can have a big influence of the chances of barn owl populations increasing now and in the future.
Other factors affecting the spread of barn owls here include the huge rise in traffic in recent years, with fast roads becoming a killing ground for owls, also use of rodenticides by modern owners of old farms that jump a mile when they see a mouse, and of course the huge demand for new housing which is eroding the green belt. Despite popular myth, South Gloucestershire Council are a very green council, with a brilliant team of Countryside Officers who are amazingly dedicated to wildlife conservation - it is government that is demanding more houses in the area, and the council is up against the wall with this issue.
There are established barn owl breeding sites in the countryside around Wick, Dyrham, Doynton, Pucklechurch, Siston, Overscourt, Sisiton Common, Iron Acton, Engine Common, Old Sodbury, Inglestone Common, Badminton, Wickwar, Charfield, Latteridge, Thornbury, Oldbury, Berkley, Keynsham, Hanham, Tortworth, Severnside and many other areas.
As far as having a chance to see them, Overscourt Woods at dusk is worth a visit (both sides of the road) and they are also regularly seen along the Iron Acton Bypass, as well as the fields and lanes around Doynton.
There are established barn owl breeding sites in the countryside around Wick, Dyrham, Doynton, Pucklechurch, Siston, Overscourt, Sisiton Common, Iron Acton, Engine Common, Old Sodbury, Inglestone Common, Badminton, Wickwar, Charfield, Latteridge, Thornbury, Oldbury, Berkley, Keynsham, Hanham, Tortworth, Severnside and many other areas.
As far as having a chance to see them, Overscourt Woods at dusk is worth a visit (both sides of the road) and they are also regularly seen along the Iron Acton Bypass, as well as the fields and lanes around Doynton.
Tawny Owls are quite common in South Gloucestershire, and are found in many woodlands and copses in the area, as well as in churchyards, parks and some large gardens.
Each year I am employed by South Gloucestershire Council, BANES & Bristol Councils to lead a series of owl Prowls, where the public can join me in at Local Nature Reserves and not only learn about owls and their conservation, but also have a chance of seeing one.
These owl prowls are also a useful surveying tool, and are especially useful to monitor resident owls each year and make sure they are still there. Up to 100 people in a woodland is not an ideal situation, but it’s surprising how the instinct to defend it’s territory overcomes the birds fear of humans.
Each year I am employed by South Gloucestershire Council, BANES & Bristol Councils to lead a series of owl Prowls, where the public can join me in at Local Nature Reserves and not only learn about owls and their conservation, but also have a chance of seeing one.
These owl prowls are also a useful surveying tool, and are especially useful to monitor resident owls each year and make sure they are still there. Up to 100 people in a woodland is not an ideal situation, but it’s surprising how the instinct to defend it’s territory overcomes the birds fear of humans.
Despite being our most numerous owl (19,000 prs but declining) they are often the most difficult to see. Active at night, they can sometimes be seen on rooftops, telegraph poles or on fence posts along the woodland edge. During the day, a hunt amongst the tree canopy can sometime reveal a roosting tawny owl tucked up tight against the tree trunk, relying on it’s plumage to remain camouflaged.
Being highly territorial, tawnies often respond to an imitation hoot or whistle, and this can often bring a response and a sighting, but this method of contact should be used responsibly and definitely not between February and July, as it may disturb breeding pairs and their young.
As I’ve mentioned, tawny owls are found in may places in South Glos, including Overscourt Woods, Wapley Bushes LNR, Tytherington Hill Woods, Ridge Woods, Monks Pool LNR, Tortworth, Warmley Forest Park, Willsbridge Mill, Hanham Woods, Sheepcombe Brake, Badminton, Inglestone Common and many other sites.
Being highly territorial, tawnies often respond to an imitation hoot or whistle, and this can often bring a response and a sighting, but this method of contact should be used responsibly and definitely not between February and July, as it may disturb breeding pairs and their young.
As I’ve mentioned, tawny owls are found in may places in South Glos, including Overscourt Woods, Wapley Bushes LNR, Tytherington Hill Woods, Ridge Woods, Monks Pool LNR, Tortworth, Warmley Forest Park, Willsbridge Mill, Hanham Woods, Sheepcombe Brake, Badminton, Inglestone Common and many other sites.
When I have surveyed for little owls, there has hardly been an area of ‘likely little owl countryside’ where I have not had a response to my survey tapes.
The most likely places to look for them is in the areas by old ramshackle farm buildings, like old piggeries or stables and also any likely rotted out hollow trees.
Places that I regularly see little owl are Iron Acton, Latteridge, Engine Common, Old Sodbury, Chipping Sodbury, Doddington, Wick, Doynton, Dyrham, Badminton, Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh, Pucklechurch, Overscourt Woods, Siston Common, Thornbury, Aust Wharf, Severnside, Almondsbury, Oldbury, Tortworth, Tytherington, Tockington, Charfield, Wickwar, Ingleston Common, Frenchay and many other areas.
Sadly increasing development of old farm buildings in the area is having an impact on some established pairs.
The most likely places to look for them is in the areas by old ramshackle farm buildings, like old piggeries or stables and also any likely rotted out hollow trees.
Places that I regularly see little owl are Iron Acton, Latteridge, Engine Common, Old Sodbury, Chipping Sodbury, Doddington, Wick, Doynton, Dyrham, Badminton, Winterbourne, Frampton Cotterell, Westerleigh, Pucklechurch, Overscourt Woods, Siston Common, Thornbury, Aust Wharf, Severnside, Almondsbury, Oldbury, Tortworth, Tytherington, Tockington, Charfield, Wickwar, Ingleston Common, Frenchay and many other areas.
Sadly increasing development of old farm buildings in the area is having an impact on some established pairs.
I hope you’ve found the above information useful for seeing owls in the South Gloucestershire area. This web site is not designed to be a ‘birding site’ and there are much better resources for local birding information on my links pages, such as ‘The Birds of South Gloucestershire’ and ‘Severnside Birds’ These and others are excellent local web sites, kept up to date by dedicated birders.
If you are looking for any particular advice on owls or any other birds of prey, please feel free to contact me. While I need to be confidential about specific nesting sites, I will be happy to advise you in any way I can to assist in helping you see some of these special birds.
In 2010 I will be organising a series of guided tours by mini bus to bird of prey hot spots around the region. If this is of interest, please make sure you e-mail me to join my mailing list and you will be the first to know about any tours that I arrange.
Links:
Guided bird of prey safaris
Join the Wild Owl mailing list
Enquiry Form
If you are looking for any particular advice on owls or any other birds of prey, please feel free to contact me. While I need to be confidential about specific nesting sites, I will be happy to advise you in any way I can to assist in helping you see some of these special birds.
In 2010 I will be organising a series of guided tours by mini bus to bird of prey hot spots around the region. If this is of interest, please make sure you e-mail me to join my mailing list and you will be the first to know about any tours that I arrange.
Links:
Guided bird of prey safaris
Join the Wild Owl mailing list
Enquiry Form
Barn owl
Short-eared owl
Short-eared owl
Long-eared owl
Long-eared owl
Barn owl
Tawny owl
Little owl
Little owl
In fact, any large field that has been left as set-aside and is vole-rich normally draws in barn owls at some time or another. In this part of the country, barn owls normally become active at the very end of the day, as the light fails, but after a very rainy June/July night, they will often hunt in the morning daylight when the rain has stopped, responding to the hungry calls of growing chicks that need feeding. With high volumes of traffic in the area, sightings near main roads are often made in the hours after midnight, when things quieten down a bit.